How to Hear and Sing 7th Chords

Review: 7th Chords

This lesson assumes that you have already completed the Lessons on Understanding 7th Chords.

Intervals

When identifying and singing 7th Chords by ear, it helps to know the intervals that make up a specific chord.

Chord
Triad-7th
Bottom Interval
Middle Interval
Top Interval
Sound
Example
Major 7
Major-Major
M3
m3
M3
Stable Major Triad with a disonant/bright 7th.
play_circle CM7
Dominant 7
Major-Minor
M3
m3
m3
Unstable. The 7th wants to resolve down.
play_circle C7
Dominant 7
Major-Minor
m3
M3
m3
Stable Minor Triad with a mildly disonant 7th.
play_circle Cm7
Half-Diminished 7
Diminished-Minor
m3
m3
M3
Dissonant, but with a M3 at the top.
play_circle Cm7♭5
Diminished 7
Diminished-Diminished
m3
m3
m3
Dissonant, but with a m3 at the top.
play_circle Co7

For a more complete review of Triads go to Understanding Triads.

For help on singing 3rds see How to Hear Thirds.

Hybrid Method

It is also very common to divide the notes of the 7th chord between the two hands so that each hand only has two notes to play.

G7/B 


Playing the Exercise

For the next exercise play the chord however you wish, but make sure that the correct note is in the bass. You can play it as an arpeggio (one note at a time) or as a chord. The exercise does not check for correct doubling.
Return to Hearing Music Hearing 7th Chords